Maynooth University ePrints and eTheses Archive

Image processing used to harness blinking as a channel of
communication and control for physically disabled people

Burke, D. and Ward, Tomas and de Paor, A
(2001)
Image processing used to harness blinking as a channel of
communication and control for physically disabled people.
Medical & Biological Engineering & Computing, 39.
pp. 285-287.

Abstract

ÐSophisticated mathematical algorithms (such as differencing, thresholding,
aggregation and statistical analysis of skin colours) are used to compare successive
frames of computer-captured images of the face. From these, changes in state of the
eyes are determined and are used to detect blinks. A recognition performance of
83.74+0.03% is achieved over ®ve subjects with a low rate of false positives
2.71+0.01%. A logical decision rule identi®es purposeful blinks and applies them
to control either a custom-designed communication package or an external device.